Perseverance and Results

Guest blogger Jacqui Hawk shares how she visualized and created success this year. Through giving and sharing, she received a bounty in return.

By Jacqui Hawk

My blog is full of posts about charities I have supported this year; The Painted Bra Art Project, which went viral on Facebook, Trees for Life in Edinburgh which I also attended and joyfully brought me together with my father whom I recently found after 42 years! Another very special post was “Paying it Forward,” a post about Jack Burke and Joey Middlemiss – two little boys each challenged in different ways, but connected with their courageous hearts and spirit and the paintings I did for each of them.

Many artists feel that charity events are ultimately not a win/win … I appreciate that you have to be selective! The ones I have given to have personally given back to me threefold. Artists could perhaps negotiate a 50/50 split of the silent auction profits if they find themselves doing a lot of fundraisers. The goal is to give quality art and raise a lot of money to achieve these goals. I believe it has to be a fair arrangement.

In January of 2011, I had a clear vision of my success and tried to visualize what that looked like and work towards it. I have been dedicated to painting every day. I get up early and paint for an hour before work and then paint for 2-3 hours in the evening, juggling a full time job at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. Managing my time – life as a Corporate Project Manager has helped me keep on task, stay structured and achieve goals.

I took part in 21 events this year (gallery exhibits, solo shows, and fundraisers) This clearly helped raise awareness for my art. When I google my name now, there are about 30,000,000 more than last year.

I invested in a new website. This is very important I believe. Being one in a sea of thousands on a third party website was not for me. My goal in 2012 is to build my own “shop” on my own site.

I embraced Facebook, and created a Facebook business page where I organized all my paintings for sale, sold, etc. I network with a lot with artists all over the world on Facebook and Twitter, many of whom are becoming great friends. I make sure that I’m very visible in the art world on Facebook, and I am totally inspired by the amazing work I see being created. I make a point to share the work of artists I love; they also do the same for me and so the energy and momentum builds.

I network and collaborate extensively with other artists, especially those whose styles are very different to mine; great things can happen! Because of this, I receive many invitations to join other artists in new gallery opportunities.

An example of this is “Art Reach,” a collaboration between St. Joseph Hospital and six artists to “harness the healing power of art.” I painted a huge 6 x 6 ft canvas in the dark during the terrible October East Coast snow storm by candlelight.

I am a member of several art associations, and this year I became a regular artist member of 263 Art Gallery in Nashua. This gave me a lot more exposure. I intend to widen this net next year. I went through a huge attitude change this year. Every time I felt like giving up because I came away from a show where I sold nothing, it made me dig deeper and deeper and become so much more resilient – and I enjoyed 33 sales this year! You recognize those moments as a ‘turning point’ in your artistic journey. It’s not a race, and success is different for everyone. I intend to pay my art dues, showing up at my easel every day because I love what happens in those magic moments.

This is so inspiring! I’m struggling to get my art career off the ground, but perseverance, even in those weeks when I feel completely discouraged, is the most important thing I can have. Thanks for the reminder!

Regarding Google (You write: “When I google my name now, there are about 30,000,000 more than last year.”), be careful about numbers on Google, it can be deceptive.

If one puts in Jacqui Hawk (no ” ” around the name) there are about 2 million hits (it varied every time I tried it)…but this includes every person or thing with the identity of “Jacqui” and “Hawk” (as in the bird and everything else).
If one puts in: “Jacqui Hawk art” , I got about 6,500 links.
There are lots of caveats when using Google for research.
Some tips here:http://support.google.com/websearch/bin/answer.py?answer=136861

Charles, I agree that a Google search number can be deceptive. However, I believe Jacqui was exaggerating for effect, and is really referring to the fact that she has gotten a lot of mentions and backlinks. And that is certainly a good thing!

What a wonderful article! I too work full time and try to squeeze in my art on the side. It’s hard but you work with what you’ve got.

It’s inspiring to hear how others are managing and succeeding! I’m going to give the “early morning” painting a go and see how that works out because evenings can be difficult when you have a young family at home too.

I met Jacqui at a Gallery Opening which she was attending as a supporter to a friend. Not unusual I’ve come to know, Jacqui is a HUGE supporter of all her artist friends. I had 2 pieces in this, my first juried show, and I was over the top excited! We met, and started talking about my paintings. She showed me her friends piece and we couldn’t stop talking! Her positive attitude is infectious and I watched her dedication produce some absolutely beautiful work this year. Jacqui is someone to keep your eye on!

Thanks for sharing Jacqui’s post. She is another great example that it all takes time AND each artist has to define “success” for themselves. We all need to build on what has happened in 2011. There are always positives and we need to focus on those and not so much on the negatives (such as exhibit rejections).

Your energby is amazing. You have inspired me with your daily painting. and full time job and all your activites I am a full time professiional artist and you do more than I do, WOW, congratualtions I will be watching you. Mahalo, Dawn[img]undefined[/img]

Hi Carolyn and friends ! 🙂 Thanks so much for the wonderful comments !! 🙂 Last year I had an amazing year… really focused more on Juried art shows… several rejections, but also six acceptances ! I also won first prize in mixed media at the 59th Greeley Park Art Show in NH which was amazing 🙂 I’m working harder than ever… I am realizing that just at the moment you think you are “getting there” , that’s the very moment you need to double up your efforts ! 🙂 This year I have been increasing my online presence… twitter is a wonderful way to increase traffic to your social media sites 🙂 This month I sold three of my new large abstract pieces – two “sight unseen” to collectors on Facebook – I believe you have to try a little of “everything” – exhibits, galleries, online sales, and supporting local charities is important too. Oh I also joined a terrific business networking group called “Friends of Kevin” – I get to expose my art to corporations and interior designers ! Another great way to get “out there” 🙂 I’m in it for the long haul 🙂 Warmly, Jacqui Hawk[img]https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=543638762325237&set=a.192828497406267.41622.164813220207795&type=1&theater&notif_t=like[/img]